MUSIC TO GO >> Houston Grand Opera performs for area students

Published 6:00 pm, Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Midland youngsters got a taste of arias and librettos when Opera to Go, part of Houston Grand Opera, performed Tuesday.

By Ruth Campbell

Midland Reporter-Telegram

From Staff Reports

Midland youngsters got a taste of arias and librettos Tuesday when Opera to Go, part of Houston Grand Opera, performed here Tuesday.

Performances of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" - with a modern twist - were held for fourth-graders at Carver Center, Emerson, Fannin and Parker elementary schools. The fun continues at 1:30 p.m. today at Scharbauer Elementary School.

This is the first time the company has visited Midland. The six singers and pianist were invited by the Midland Opera Theater.

"Magic Flute," which dates back to 1791, is updated with modern clothing, cell phones and computer games, but the themes of good versus evil remain.

Tamino is a college-age student staying up all night playing video games, Music Director Kade Smith said. His roommate warns that's not good for him.

Tamino falls asleep and dreams he's inside the computer game. He meets the "Queen of the Byte" who prevails upon him to rescue her daughter, Pamina, from the evil Sarastro.

The youth sets off on his journey and discovers Sarastro is more of a good guy than the queen because the queen is trying to destroy all nature on Level 12, Smith said.

One of the themes is nature versus technology.

"We try not to say technology is a bad thing, but you can't spend all your time inside playing computer games. You have to get outside and experience what nature has to offer as well," Smith said.

Opera to Go has existed about 15 years and has been associated with the Houston Grand Opera for more than 10 years.

The "to go" company tours throughout the school year, typically keeping to the Houston-Galveston area.

"We've had a good response," Smith said of the production. "We started this show Jan. 19 in Houston - had a week of performances in a theater. We've been touring around the Houston area for two weeks. Now we're on the Midland tour."